Description

Fighter Country is a grand tribute to NAS Oceana, Virginia, and its Tomcats. Within are more than 190 full-colour photos of F-14s and other aircraft from all of Oceana’s fighter squadrons – on the base and on the boat in action around the world. It takes you through a year in the life of the Tomcat driver or radar intercept officer (RIO): study at the RAG, soaking up the lore of the fighter community in the officers’ club, air combat manoeuvrings, carrier qualifications, workups, deployment on a cruise, and into combat during Operation Desert Storm. Fighter Country is also the first-ever history of Oceana and of each of the fleet fighter squadrons currently stationed there: the VF-14 Tophatters, VF-32 Swordsmen, VF-33 Starfighters, VF-41 Black Aces, VF-74 De-Devilers, VF-84 Jolly Rogers, VF-102 Diamondbacks, VF-103 Sluggers, VF-142 Ghostriders, and VF-143 Pukin’ Dogs. Also included are the VF-101 Grim Reapers (the F-14 RAG), the VF-43 Challengers (Oceana’s resident bandits), and the VF-11 Red Rippers and VF-31 Tomcatters (squadrons that transferred to NAS Miramar in early 1992). The base and squadron histories are brought to life by dozens of colour and black-and-white historical photos showing most of the great US Navy fighters of the past in the colourful and unique markings of these squadrons.